4.9
4.6
Travel Information
Compare train and bus for Birmingham to Manchester
Omio recommends booking the train as it is the most popular option from Birmingham to Manchester among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price, take the bus, with an average ticket price of $16 For those with little time, consider booking a train, which has an average total journey time of 2h 8m. If you are seeking to minimise your carbon footprint, the train is your best option, with estimated CO2 emissions of 0.0 - 0.1kg. Average ticket prices depend on the travel mode: a bus costs an average of $16, while a train costs an average of $43.
Distance: 70 miles (113 km)
Compare train with
Most popular Train | Bus | Driving |
|---|---|---|
$43 Average price | $16 Average price Cheapest | $42 Average price (fuel + tolls) |
2h 8m Average total duration Fastest 1h 38m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 2h 54m Average total duration 2h 24m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 1h 55m Average total duration (door-to-door) |
0.0 - 0.1kg CO2 emissions Lowest | 0.1 - 0.3kg CO2 emissions | - CO2 emissions |
 Most popular train company |  Most popular bus company | Your own car or car rental |
Direct Options | Direct Options | Direct Options |
Additional time: Average total travel duration to departure point, security checks and transfers.
Compare ways to travel from Birmingham to Manchester
Compare the available ways to get from Birmingham to Manchester, with the key details around price, speed, convenience, and direct service.
This is compared to other travel options from Birmingham to Manchester:
A bus is $27 (€23) less than a train for this route with tickets for a train from Birmingham to Manchester costing on average $43 (€36).
Other travel options to Manchester take longer:
Bus takes on average 2h 54m.
You'll arrive about 17m sooner (1h 38m by train vs 1h 55m by car). Tickets start at around $43 (€36) compared to roughly $42 (€35) in fuel and tolls — so you're paying a bit more, but getting hours of your day back, a city-centre arrival, and the freedom to work or relax instead of drive.
Driving makes more sense if you're travelling as a group (where fuel costs split several ways), want to stop along the way, or need a car once you arrive.
Travel optionsfrom Birmingham to Manchester
How to get from Birmingham to Manchester by train, bus or flight.
Our recommendation
The best way to travel from Birmingham to Manchester is by taking a bus because it’s the best combination of price and speed.
FlixBus8:00 AM 2h30 Birmingham 10:30 AM Manchester, Shudehill Interchange $15 1 One-way 0 transfers
Cheapest
- FlixBus
8:00 AM 2h30 Birmingham 10:30 AM Manchester, Shudehill Interchange $15 1 One-way 0 transfers
Fastest
- G00917
10:01 PM 1h27 Birmingham New Street (BHM) 11:28 PM Manchester Piccadilly (MAN) $75 1 One-way 0 transfers
Other options
W33228+
AW8498007:07 PM 2h34 Birmingham New Street (BHM) 9:41 PM Manchester Oxford Road (MCO) $29 1 One-way 1 transfer
C17759+
L890879:34 PM 2h23 Birmingham New Street (BHM) 11:57 PM Manchester Piccadilly (MAN) $32 1 One-way 1 transfer- W33247+L89077
8:07 PM 2h04 Birmingham New Street (BHM) 10:11 PM Manchester Piccadilly (MAN) $36 1 One-way 1 transfer
- FlixBus
6:40 PM 2h20 Birmingham 9:00 PM Manchester, Shudehill Interchange $16 1 One-way 0 transfers - FlixBus
2:10 PM 2h30 Birmingham 4:40 PM Manchester, Shudehill Interchange $16 1 One-way 0 transfers - FlixBus
11:10 AM 2h30 Birmingham 1:40 PM Manchester, Shudehill Interchange $17 1 One-way 0 transfers
Find all the dates and times for this journey by train, bus, flight, and ferry .
Compare prices and tickets Prices for trains, buses and flights
Compare train and bus prices over the next three weeks. See the best deals at a glance, find the lowest fares, and choose the option that fits your budget.
How to get from Birmingham to Manchester
The Best Way According to our Users
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FAQs: Travel from Birmingham to Manchester
Travel to Manchester easily. Whether you want fast, cheap or something entirely different, our travel experts have collected everything you need to know so you can find the best option from Birmingham to Manchester.
This is compared to other travel options from Birmingham to Manchester:
A bus is $27 (€23) less than a train for this route with tickets for a train from Birmingham to Manchester costing on average $43 (€36).
Other travel options to Manchester take longer:
Bus takes on average 2h 54m.
- Around 42 trains per day.
- Around 31 buses per day.
However, we recommend checking specific travel dates for your route between Birmingham and Manchester as scheduled services by train and bus can vary by season or day of the week.
- Trains mostly depart from Birmingham New Street (BHM) and arrive in Manchester Piccadilly (MAN).
- Buses mostly depart from Birmingham, Coach Station and arrive in Manchester, Coach Station.
- Travel with CrossCountry, Avanti West Coast, West Midlands Trains, Northern Rail, Transport for Wales to go to Manchester by train.
- Travel with National Express, FlixBus to go to Manchester by bus.
- 26 direct trains per day with CrossCountry, Transport for Wales.
- 31 direct buses per day with National Express, FlixBus.
Travelling from Birmingham to Manchester: related information
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